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Results for Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika

At the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika evidence has established that Ministry of Finance's high-ranking officials ranging from the Minster of Finance to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Finance had proceeded to allow payments for the Princess Ashika, under a wrong assumption that due diligence was conducted.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika was told today, that because of the urgency in the purchasing of a ferry, the initial FJ$90,000 dollars (an equivalent of TOP$88,250) was paid from a government fund specifically out of the Ministry of Finance vote; while the remaining FJ$510,000 was paid from a separate Government Fund that held, in part, payments from the People's Republic of China in a Special Account at the National Reserve Bank.

The MV Princess Ashika costing FJ$600,000 was bought with funds given by the People's Republic of China to Government of Tonga, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Ashika sinking was told on February 17.

At the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika this afternoon, Tonga's Ports Authority manager, Commander Lupeti Vi revealed that Tu'i Uata of Uata Shipping Company had attempted to bribe him with $5,000 in December 2009.

The Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Managing Director John Jonesse was persistently questioned at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika today where he denied submissions that he was dishonest and untruthful in his dealings with the Ashika vessel, which included his report that it was well maintained - when it was not.

Transport Secretary 'Eleni Mone giving evidence at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika today, broke down in tears and apologised to everyone particularly the families of the Ashika victims for her failure and her inaction to query vital matters in relation to the vessel.

The Sale and Purchase Agreement for the MV Princess Ashika signed on May 8, 2009, was unusual because the Government of Tonga was required to pay the full F$600,000 dollars regardless of the condition of the vessel, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Ashika learned on February 10.

A Provisional Survey Certificate for the Princess Ashika prepared on July 3, 2009 was backdated to the day before, July 2, as directed by the Acting Director of Marine Viliami Tu'ipulotu to a Computer Operator at the Marine Division of the Ministry of Transport, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Ashika was told on February 8.

A preliminary Inspection Report conducted by Tongan Surveyors this week on a possible replacement vessel for the Princess Ashika in Malaysia, revealed an open deck that would drench cargo unless covered, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Ashika sinking discovered on February 9.

Kalesita Taumoepeau, an Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Transport who was a personal assistant to former Transport Minister Paul Karalus, asserted him as being very diligent, honest and hardworking in relation to his work.

Due diligence is the normal process prior to the purchasing of anything, the Manager of the Regional Maritime Program of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Captain John Hogan told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika, at the Fa'onelua Convention Center this afternoon, February 8.

Both Tonga's former Minister of Transport Paul Karalus and the Prime Minister Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele and other high ranking government officials are set to give evidence this month at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika.

The Tongan Cabinet unanimously resolved and directed for the MV Pulupaki to be allowed back to Nuku'alofa in December 2009, regardless of whether it was seaworthy or not, the Minister of Transport Noble Nuku said.

The evidence of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Managing Director, John Jonesse, took an interesting turn on Friday morning, when he was asked whether he received any improper payments in relation to the prospective purchase or purchase of the Princess Ashika. He denied this suggestion absolutely.

Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd Managing Director John Jonesse told the Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika on January 28, that he was equally responsible for the sinking of the ferry as other individuals and institutions.

The Director of Marine Viliami Tu'ipulotu verified that he signed a Seaworthy Certificate for the MV Pulupaki on January 6, 2010, even though he knew it was unseaworthy and it has extensive rust and corrosion.

SCP Chairperson 'Alisi Taumoepeau on Wednesday accepted that the SCP Board are accountable in relation to the sinking of the Princess Ashika, in that they failed to verify or request vital survey certificates prior to the purchase of the vessel.

The MV Pulupaki, declared last week to be unseaworthy and detained from sea by the Ministry of Transport, was allowed to sail in the weekend under the authorisation of the Minister of Transport Noble Nuku, an inquiry was told on Tuesday, January 26.

As a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, 'Alisi Taumoepeau told the Royal Commission of Inquiry on January 26, it was normal procedure for Government Ministries to follow directions from government without seeking proper legal advice from the Crown Law Department, regardless of whether or not it was an unreasonable direction.